Game-changing bioenergy plant could slash Castlemaine emissions

The bioenergy plant at DON Smallgood's site would cut the factory's emissions by 20 per cent.

It would also be a huge step forward for the wider Mount Alexander Shire, which has declared a "climate emergency".

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The Mount Alexander Sustainability Group wants the shire to reach zero net emissions in less than a decade, as well as dramatically curb the amount of waste residents send to landfill.

The group has spearheaded plans for the facility, which would rise next to Don Smallgoods' existing complex.

MASG's bioenergy subcommittee chair Michael Lewin said it was about more than emissions reductions.

"It will also provide local job opportunities and help to underpin the future viability of DON Smallgoods, the Loddon Mallee region's largest employer," he said.

Trucks from the complex and the wider community would bring organic waste to onsite tanks to be processed to extract gases capable of heating water for energy needs.

DON Smallgoods believes the project would slash its carbon footprint by 20 per cent.

That combined with other green energy initiatives could help the company reduce emissions roughly 40 per cent by 2025, managing director Will Ursell said.

He saw a chance for the company to shore up its energy security with a cost-effective supply.

"When we think about our energy supply we are thinking about [that] because we can't take all of ours from the grid.

"We actually don't do that now," he said in reference to the company's solar power capabilities.

Leftover nutrient rich composts that would be reused by farmers and others.

The facility would likely stop 30,000 tonnes of organic waste being dumped in landfill, 20 per cent of which would come from DON Smallgoods, MASG estimates.

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The group has been working on plans for such a facility since 2015 and this week saw the group lock in the concept, location and plans for how the site would work.

The proposal is yet to get regulatory approvals from the council and other bodies including the Environmental Protection Authority but Mr Lewin is confident it can meet requirements about traffic, odour and any other concerns agencies and the community might raise.

In the meantime, project backers are hoping to get buy-in from potential financial backers to help them build the plant.

The $20-$25 million project could be up and running by mid-2023 assuming regulators approve the project this year and the build goes to plan.

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